p. 15 | The Work for This Time by Ellen G. White

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · May 25, 1905

The Work for This Time

By Ellen G. White

Development of the Interests at Washington

Address by Mrs. E. G. White before the Conference, Tuesday Afternoon, May 16

Our work for this time is a most solemn and important work. Let those who claim to believe the truth take into consideration the fact that unless the Holy Spirit is with them in the work which God has given them, they will lose a great blessing, and their efforts will be a failure. If there are those who think that it is their business to criticize the ones whom God has put in a certain place to open the way, that the truth shall be carried forward as it should be in the different places, let them know that they are doing a work which God has not appointed them. If there are those here who cherish the spirit of criticism, this meeting will be of very little advantage to them. What we need at this very time is that the Spirit of God shall be manifested among us.

Each one of us has all that he can do to overcome his own faults. Search out your own defects, and ask God to help you. Do not, for Christ's sake, excuse yourself from doing the very work that God has called you to do for yourself, and instead busy yourself trying to set some one else right. If each of you will take hold of Number One right at this meeting, the salvation of God will be revealed in a most marked manner. If this army of people would seek the Lord with heart and mind and soul, they would have something to say that would bring light and blessing and joy into the meeting.

We are glad that we came to Washington a year ago, and spent some time here. We are thankful to the Lord that we know how the work started. I remember how, when we were living in the Carroll House, near the water-tower, the workmen would come over at half-past five every morning for a season of prayer. As often as I could, I met with this little company, speaking encouraging words to them. I felt so thankful that they would take the time every morning to seek the Lord. At these meetings we had singing and prayer, and a short Bible study. Sometimes several prayers would be offered, and earnest testimonies would be borne. We had evidence that the sweet Spirit of God came in among us. And the one who had charge of those working on the school land said that he had never had a company of workers who were more willing and ready to do all that it was possible for them to do. When I heard this, I thanked God.

How the Lord Has Led

It was with the greatest thankfulness that we watched the progress of the work; for we knew that the Lord had led us here. Do you not think that the building up of this work cost earnest thought? Do you not think that it meant diligent seeking of the Lord? If you have any inclination to pull the work here to pieces, and tell how it ought to have been done, I tell you that you should feel it your duty to see that you yourself are moving justly before God.

God has given to every man his work. He has given to every individual a certain work. If any of you have turned criticizer, you may be sure of one thing: that you will lose the blessing which you might have obtained had you rightly considered the work that your brethren have had to do in this new place. They have worked with all their strength to place things in such shape that the work could go forward. I have been given message after message for those who were standing at the head of the work here, for Elder Daniells and Elder Prescott, and for all connected with them in the work. The blessing of the Lord came upon me as I would write to them, saying, Be of good courage in the Lord. He is leading and guiding. He will bless you as you move forward. He will be your helper.

Suppose that our brethren had not come to Washington when they did. Suppose that they had dallied for six months or a year. What would have been the result?—The bill concerning Sunday legislation would have been slipped right in, and I do not know how long or how severe a battle we should have had to fight. But in the mercy of God our brethren were able to forestall this movement, although, in order to do this, they had to neglect other pressing work. I can assure you that their hands and hearts were full. They prayed, they reached out to God, and they sent out tracts and pamphlets every

where. And wherever this reading-matter has gone, the light of the Sabbath truth has penetrated. Earnest work was done, and constantly our prayers ascended to God, that he would let his power rest upon every one engaged in the work.

A Burden for Souls

Those connected with the work labored in harmony. They did not stop to find fault with one another. Every one tried to press the battle to the gates. We were far away at the time, but every morning and evening our petitions ascended to God for the work in Washington, that from this important place the light of Sabbath truth might shine forth. We prayed that God would put upon men a burden to enter the other cities that have been so long neglected.

God has men who understand the truth. If they would feel the burden of his work, and press forward, not waiting to have everything outlined before them, much more would be accomplished. If many of these gathered in Battle Creek, who have a knowledge of the truth, were scattered out into the different fields, and were working intelligently and earnestly for the Master in the neglected cities, many souls would be brought into the truth. I would give a great deal more for the education that is obtained through practical work than I would for that obtained by hearing, hearing, hearing, and doing nothing. There may be some who have done the work of the Lord in Battle Creek, but every time the matter is presented to me, the light given is that many should move out of Battle Creek, and out of other churches where large numbers of Sabbath-keepers are congregated, and go to work for the Master.

There is a great work to be done, and we have felt so anxious, so full of hope and prayer, so full of earnest entreaty that the Lord would lead and guide. Night after night I have lain awake, unable to sleep, asking God for his mercy's sake to save those who are dying in their sins. The world is fast becoming as it was before the flood. My brethren and sisters, use your talent of speech, your influence, every jot of ability you have, in helping and strengthening others. Do not place your talents on the negative side, to discourage and dishearten others, but put your arms around those in need of help, and tell them that you will help them all you can. When the Holy Spirit rests upon you, you will understand what it means to have a burden for souls.

For many months I could not sleep past twelve o'clock. What was the matter?—The burden of the work in Washington was upon my mind. God had signified that the publishing work should be transferred from Battle Creek to Washington. He promised to demonstrate his power and grace, and this he has done. When the crisis regarding Sunday legislation came, our workers were right on the ground, prepared to act in a way that made them channels of light to others. If they had not been on the ground, the bill regarding Sunday legislation would have been pressed through, leaving our work in darkness and discouragement.

I want those present at this meeting to realize that it has meant a hard struggle to bring the work in this place to its present state of advancement. The Lord God has been at work. My brethren, instead of criticizing what has been done, save your speech for the great cities that have not yet been worked, such as New Orleans, Memphis, and St. Louis. Go to these places and labor for the people, but do not speak a word of censure regarding those who have tried so hard to do everything in their power for the advancement of the work. Sometimes these workers would be almost discouraged, but we kept praying for them. Wherever I was, I would ask the prayers of God's people in their behalf.

Let those who have any complaint to make, go right to the Lord, and ask him to give them a place where they can show what great things they can do, or else humble their hearts before God, and thank him for what he has done.

Erection of Buildings

I thank the Lord that I can meet you at this meeting. I am glad to see so many here. I know that the Lord is with those connected with this work. We were here when the buildings were first started, and we investigated everything as they went up. At the time, I was quite weak, but Brother Baird would take one of my arms and my son the other, and with their help I would walk up to where I could see what the foundation was, and how the walls were made. Again and again I went over the unfinished building, and as I now see some of them completed, I say, Thank the Lord with heart and soul and voice for what has been accomplished. I have felt almost afraid to touch this subject here, lest I should burst into tears before you all, I am so grateful to see so much done. I am glad to see such neat buildings. There is no extravagance, but everything has been done with thoroughness, as God has directed it to be. From the work on these buildings, the students have learned lessons which they can carry with them wherever they go. When I was here, I was so glad to see the workers, not discouraged, but thankful for an opportunity to work for the Lord. I looked with great satisfaction upon the work being done; for I knew that the blessing of God was resting upon the workers.

Opportunity after opportunity came to those in charge to gain advantage for the work. At one time they had a chance to buy lumber at so low a rate that thousands of dollars were saved. How was it that they were able to take advantage of this opportunity?—They had the money in their hands.

Yesterday I went for a short ride through the forest, and O, the trees—God's trees and God's forest—how beautiful they looked! The city is not the slightest temptation to me. And yet we must carry the truth to the cities. Tents are to be pitched in the most favorable places, and meetings held. Let our workers pray the Lord to open the way that they may enter the large cities of the South, and labor as men taking down trees in the forest, as men earning a large amount of money. For they are. One soul saved is worth more than the whole world. If we can but take hold upon the arm of the Lord, success will attend our efforts. Christ gave his life on Calvary's cross to make it possible for human beings to be saved; and yet we are leaving the world without the knowledge of the truth that would make them wise unto salvation. What kind of an account will many have to settle with the Lord in the future?

I ask you never to find fault with what has been done here; for I have seen the angels of God working here, encouraging the workers, and leading them to lift their eyes to see their Redeemer and be strengthened. I have seen the angels of God on this ground with the youth and with the other workers. I have seen the power of God at work here, and I wish to tell you that I want this meeting to be an everlasting cure of your faultfinding and murmuring and trying to find some one to criticize. May God help us all to humble our hearts before him and be converted.

The Sanitarium and Educational Work

There is a great work to be done here. Brethren Daniells, Prescott, Washburn, Colcord, Warren, and others, but especially Brethren Daniells and Prescott,

have worked amid difficulties in the name of the Lord, and I know that the Spirit of God has been upon them. And though we have felt disappointed because means did not come in faster for the work in Washington, we have not complained, but have gone straight forward. The buildings have been put up as fast as possible. There is yet much to do. We must have a small sanitarium here, and we feel sure that the blessing of God will rest upon this branch of the work. The building will not be a large, expensive one, but just such as the Lord desires to see here.

It is the Lord's design that a training-school shall be conducted on these grounds. If there is a place anywhere in our world where there should be a school for the training of our youth to be efficient missionaries, it is here, where there is such an important field to be worked. We must make every effort to have a school of the highest order. Provision will have to be made for the very young, and also for intermediate students, in this vicinity. And we must reach the highest possible standard of perfection in the work of preparing students for the school above.

Let the complaints come if they will. Those who complain will find that this brings them nothing but barrenness of soul; for we are moving under the direction of the One who has given the gospel commission, and we intend to carry the work forward.

I call upon those who have been held at Battle Creek to gird on the armor. It is high time that they went forth into needy fields to labor for the Lord. It is not pleasing to God for them to stay in a place that has been worked over and over again, encouraging others to drift into Battle Creek to become unbelievers in the Testimonies God has given to his people, or perhaps infidels. Those who are fully established in the truth may gain a good education there, but there are others who go away infidels. By some, the truths that lie at the very foundation of our faith are being sacrificed.

Our Periodicals

God has given me light regarding our periodicals. What is it?—He has said that the dead are to speak. How?—Their works shall follow them. We are to repeat the words of the pioneers in our work, who knew what it cost to search for the truth as for hidden treasure, and who labored to lay the foundation of our work. They moved forward step by step under the influence of the Spirit of God. One by one these pioneers are passing away. The word given me is, Let that which these men have written in the past be reproduced. And in The Signs of the Times let not the articles be long or the print fine. Do not try to crowd everything into one number of the paper. Let the print be good, and let earnest, living experiences be put into the paper.

Not long ago I took up a copy of the Bible Echo. As I looked it through, I saw an article by Elder Haskell and one by Elder Corliss. As I laid the paper down, I said, These articles must be reproduced. There is truth and power in them. Men spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

Let the truths that are the foundation of our faith be kept before the people. Some will depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. They talk science, and the enemy comes in and gives them an abundance of science; but it is not the science of salvation. It is not the science of humility, of consecration, or of the sanctification of the Spirit. We are now to understand what the pillars of our faith are,—the truths that have made us as a people what we are, leading us on step by step.

Early Experiences

After the passing of the time in 1844 we searched for the truth as for hidden treasure. I met with the brethren, and we studied and prayed earnestly. Often we remained together until late at night, and sometimes through the entire night, praying for light and studying the Word. Again and again these brethren came together to study the Bible, in order that they might know its meaning, and be prepared to teach it with power. When they came to the point in their study where they said, “We can do nothing more,” the Spirit of the Lord would come upon me. I would be taken off in vision, and a clear explanation of the passages we had been studying would be given me, with instruction as to how we were to labor and teach effectively. Thus light was given that helped us to understand the scriptures in regard to Christ, his mission, and his priesthood. A line of truth extending from that time to the time when we shall enter the city of God, was made plain to me, and I gave to others the instruction that the Lord had given me.

During this whole time I could not understand the reasoning of the brethren. My mind was locked, as it were, and I could not comprehend the meaning of the scriptures we were studying. This was one of the greatest sorrows of my life. I was in this condition of mind until all the principal points of our faith were made clear to our minds, in harmony with the Word of God. The brethren knew that, when not in vision, I could not understand these matters, and they accepted, as light directly from heaven, the revelations given.

Many errors arose, and though I was then little more than a child, I was sent by the Lord from place to place to rebuke those who were holding these false doctrines. There were those who were in danger of going into fanaticism, and I was bidden in the name of the Lord to give them a warning from heaven.

We shall have to meet these same false doctrines again. There will be those who will claim to have visions. When God gives you clear evidence that the vision is from him, you may accept it, but do not accept it on any other evidence; for people are going to be led more and more astray in foreign countries and in America. The Lord wants his people to act like men and women of sense.

Salvation in the Truth

In the future, deception of every kind is to arise, and we want solid ground for our feet. We want solid pillars for the building. Not one pin is to be removed from that which the Lord has established. The enemy will bring in false theories, such as the doctrine that there is no sanctuary. This is one of the points on which there will be a departing from the faith. Where shall we find safety unless it be in the truths that the Lord has been giving for the last fifty years?

I want to tell you that Christ lives. He makes intercession for us, and he will save every one who will come to him in faith and obey his directions. But remember that he does not want you to give your energies to criticism of your brethren. Attend to the salvation of your own soul. Do the work God has given you. You will find so much to do that you will have no inclination to criticize some one else. Use the talent of speech to help and bless. If you do the work God has given you, you will have a message to bear, and you will understand what is meant by the sanctification of the Spirit.

Do not think that Satan is not doing anything. Do not think that his army is passive. He and his agencies are on the ground to-day. We are to put on the whole armor of God. Having done all, we are to stand, meeting principalities and powers and spiritual wickedness in high places. And if we have on the heavenly armor, we shall find that the assaults of the enemy will not have power over us. Angels of God will be round about us to protect us. I have the assurance of God that thus it will be. In the name of the Lord God of Israel I ask you to come up to the help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord against the mighty. If you do this, you will have on your side a strong helper, a personal Saviour. You will be covered with the shield of providence. God will make a way for you, so that you will never be overtaken by the enemy. I am praying that the power of the Saviour will be exerted in behalf of those who have entered into the temptations of the enemy. They are not standing under the broad shield of Omnipotence. My brethren, it is our privilege to stand under this shield.